Inverclyde Council planners have approved new designs for a landmark distillery and visitor centre at Inverkip.
The Ardgowan Distillery facility at Ardgowan Estate, Inverkip, will feature a light-filled “modern Nordic long hall” using low environmental impact composite cladding, timber and steel materials.
It will incorporate a glass-walled ‘sky platform’ with views of the Clyde.
The revised plans for the Bankfoot site were submitted to Inverclyde Council in December. They supersede a previous design that secured planning consent in 2018.
Officials have now given permission for the new proposals, with Rebecchi Architectural appointed to support the process.
Their report states: “The proposed overall development represents a significant investment and will bring economic benefit through the main whisky distilling operation and it serving as a tourist attraction.
“The overall development is one which is appropriate for this green belt location and the amended design of the distillery building…is considered acceptable when considered against the relevant development plan policies.”
Ardgowan Distillery confirmed in June last year that the Inverclyde project would go ahead after it attracted financing of £8.4million led by principal investor Roland Grain and additional support from Distil Plc.
Mr Grain said: “My passion for whisky began as a teenager in Austria when I began to collect Scotch whisky and my wish is for this project to create the highest possible quality whisky and a lasting connection to the community in Inverclyde.
“Central to this is our innovative building - designed by leading Austrian architects Spitzbart and Partners.
“This very modern Nordic long hall is pointing skyward, symbolising resurrection and our rise from the ashes of the former Ardgowan Distillery, which burned down in the Greenock Blitz in May 1941, and also our ambition to become one of the top whiskies in the world.
“I hope it will stand out as a ‘cathedral to whisky’ and put this corner of Inverclyde firmly on the tourist map.”
Ardgowan Estate owner Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart said: “This is a truly iconic and visionary design, one that is commensurate with Ardgowan Distillery’s aspirations to create a landmark visitor destination in Inverclyde.”
Distillery chief executive Martin McAdam said: “This project will be a major boost to the local economy -– both during construction and in operation. We estimate the distillery and visitor centre will create up to 47 new jobs within five years.
“Our goal is to build a world-class whisky distillery and visitor centre which will attract tourists and bring economic and social benefits to Inverclyde.”
PHONE: 01475 639000
property@bowreb.com 
